Architecture and design industries

Private enterprise

Article Abstract:

US producers of fast-moving consumer goods are turning away from advertising and are focusing on improving their packaging designs. The move is a result of the fierce competition from own label brands. The success of own label goods is due to their low prices and also to the fact that both TV advertising and brands are now being affected by a crisis of legitimacy. Packaging design and innovation have benefitted from this changing agenda in US packaged goods, and a recent packaging conference in Los Angeles, US, was in an optimistic mood.

James Woudhuysen on the mysteries of home leisure

Article Abstract:

Technological innovations are altering people's television viewing habits and the use of electronic leisure media in the home, but research appears to have taken little account of this. Little is known about the way in which electronic leisure products are used, while manufacturers of domestic appliances appear confident of knowing what is required to satisfy human needs. Attention should be given to the methods used to survey the use of leisure time in the home.

James Woudhuysen on automatic cash dispensers

Article Abstract:

Henley Centre research of 2,000 UK consumers has revealed that a substantial proportion had never thought of obtaining money via automatic cash dispensers (ATMs) or any other non-human method. The advantages of ATMs include speedier transactions and features such as on-line statements; however, the down-side includes: a lack of explanatory information on the devices, poor screen graphics, and generally, poor information design.